Music Review: Robyn "Do You Know (What It Takes)"

Robyn

Do You Know (What It Takes)

Album: Robyn Is Here

Year: 1996

               A guy has to meet Robyn’s tough standards in the strong  “Do You Know (What It Takes).”

           In the opening, she sings “always be around” with poised synths, setting a standoffish tone.

          He tells her that she’s pretty and would like to take out for dinner sometime. She nods her ok and thanks him for the compliment. She adds she’ll have to think about dinner. She’s been asked for so many dinners in some vague time period, she would never have to eat again. For him and like the other guys who have flirted with her, it’s a meaningless date. He’ll screw her over and tip the relationship in favor of him. She’s not going to date a guy based on some unoriginal pick up line. She has to get them know first. (“Don't you know I can see what you do to me/Running around with your cheap talk, cheap talk/What I need is a man who can do me right, do me right/If you got what I need, I can guarantee/To return all the love that you've giving to me/But, I've got to be sure that you'll always be around (always be around.”)

           In the chorus, she challenges the guys to step up and treat her well. (“Do you know what it takes to love me (do you know)/Do you know what it takes to do me right/Do you know what it takes to love me, baby, baby.”)

            She’s been at home on the weekend while her friends went out with their boyfriends. She imagined herself holding hands with a cute guy like them. She’s aware of her reputation. A guy is considered brave to ask her out. She wants to be truly in love and not date some guy likes her. She would love to be in a relationship. She isn’t sure how to trust someone entirely yet. (“Heaven knows in my time, I've been lonely/Feeling my love echo in my mind, in my mind, yeah/A never satisfied girl’s  what they call me/But I just can't keep going on living lies/Guaranteed, underneath, you won't let me down/There's so much I can give but it's buried so deep/I just got to be sure that you will always be around/(always be around.”)

           In the second chorus, she adds that she has to have reassurance that he really cares for her. (“Do you know what it takes to love me (do you know)/Do you know what it takes to do me right/Do you know what it takes to love me, baby, baby/Do you know what it takes (do you know)/Do you know what it takes (don't waste my time, with your lies)/Yeah baby, I got enough (you got to prove that you will always be around.”)

           In the bridge, she promises to be honest. However, she expects for him to communicate with her also. She has to set out her rules otherwise it’s not going to work for her. (“I'll give you everything/Boy will you do the same for me/Will you do everything/I gotta know the way it will be.”)

          The final chorus ends the single. (“Do you know what it takes to love me (do you know)/Do you know what it takes to do me right/Do you know, do you know, do you know what it takes/Do you know what it takes to do me right (don't waste my time baby.”)

          Robyn’s velvety vocals are straightforward, explaining how she feels while remaining kind. She only wants the guy to know her expectations before going any further. Otherwise, they can still be friends. She doesn’t want to break the guy nor does she like the idea of people of being afraid of her.

          The underrated “Do You Know (What It Takes)” is a rare gem among many offerings of the late 90s teenybop era.